Among the Ask a Divorce Lawyer questions answered today by Cordell & Cordell attorneys:

• Do I still have to appear in court if I want to cancel a modification request?
• My ex is scheduled to deploy and offered me a family care plan giving part of her parenting time to a "designated person" while she is away. Can she do that?
• Do I have to pay for part of the her daycare expenses?

by Spencer Williams of Cordell & Cordell, PC

In any case there are opportunities that a client will be required to testify on the record.  Depositions, motions, temporary (PDL) hearings and trial to name a few.  Prior to any event that a party would be required to testify it is important to schedule a meeting in person with your attorney.   It is important not to meet too far in advance as the “rules for testifying” may be forgotten, but any closer to the event may not allow the client time to practice and prepare.  

The attorney will not provide a client with a response.  It is unethical in most jurisdictions for an attorney to give their client the response.  However, it is appropriate and expected that the attorney will help mold the response.  This can be important to work with the attorney so responses can fit within the strategy and “theme” of the case being presented.  

There are basic rules for testifying at any event.  

Kristin K. Zurek, JD of Cordell & Cordell, P.C.

You’re in the midst of your divorce case. She claims you work too much and you’re not involved in the children’s lives, and therefore, she deserves primary custody. You have pled for a joint custody arrangement. How do you prove or disprove those kinds of allegations? Isn’t family law litigation a mostly he said/she said endeavor?

Not necessarily! One of the best ways to make your case, or disprove her case, is by utilizing collateral sources.

An affidavit is a written statement sworn to be true before someone legally authorized to administer an oath.

by the attorneys of Cordell & Cordell, PC

Although many parties wish the timeline for divorce could be reduced substantially, the reality is that the “wheels of justice” rotate quite slowly at times.  Thus, in a suit for divorce, it is imperative that you come to an agreement with the opposing party or alternatively seek the court’s assistance in determining what relief can be granted in the interim between separation and a final judgment and decree.  The issues that need to be addressed at a preliminary stage include child custody, visitation, support, and alimony. 

Matters such as equitable division of property can wait.  However, mortgage companies, childcare providers, and the like generally do not have a “pause” button, and thus many litigants cannot wait for the seemingly sloth-like “wheels of justice” to turn.
 

DadsDivorce is pleased to announce a new addition to our State Resource pages, helping you to stay in touch with the current status of your various cases. 

Recently, many states and some counties have begun to move their public access to court records online.  This means that you can easily view the status of your cases in the comfort of your own home – no more going to the courthouse every time you need to view these documents. 

Read more after the jump.